is
hand.

"Stop," he said, "I want to speak to you."

Jack stopped in sheer surprise, and looked at the speaker in wonder.
What could the man want with him? At a glance he saw the man was not
English, though upon closer examination he could not place the type.
The stranger's skin was darker than an Englishman's, but not darker
than many a Spaniard's. His eyes were large and black and liquid;
their look was now crafty and a trifle menacing; his hair was lank and
intensely black. In build he was very slight, with thin arms and legs.
Jack's idea was that if he had been a little darker he might very well
have been a Hindoo.

"And what, my friend, may you want with me?" said Jack genially.

"This morning you received a letter from your father," said the dusky
stranger.

"How under the sun do you know that?" asked Jack; "and what if I did?
I don't see where your interest comes in."

"I wish to see that letter. You had better hand it over at once."

"Don't you ever apply for a further stock of cheek, my little man,"
said Jack, "for you've got all you need, and a little bit over."

"The letter is almost certainly in your pocket," said the stranger in
perfect English, yet pronounced with a curiously odd lisp and click,
"and I must see it."

"It's in my pocket all right, confound your cheek," replied Jack, "and
there it will stay. Come, get a move on you, and clear out of my way."

"I shall not get out of your way," said the other. "I shall stop you
until I have read the letter."

"I don't know what lunatic asylum is short of your cheerful presence
to-day," remarked Jack, "and if you don't clear out quick I shall
certainly rush you. In which case, I beg you to observe that I am,
even if I say it myself, a pretty stiff tackler, and about three stone
heavier than you."

The man laughed mockingly and waved his hand, as if making very light
of Jack's purpose.

"I assure you," he said in a soft voice, and giving once more his
laugh of light mockery, "that it would be much better for you to hand
over the letter at once. I do not wish to hurt you, but I have not the
least objection to do so if it becomes necessary."

Jack's warm blood was fired at once, and he pulled himself together
for a swift charge which would fill this stranger with surprised
regret for what he had brought upon himself. But, for a second,
something checked him; a strange, mysterious feeling came over him as
he wondered what lay behind all this. H